Railway crossing



May 9, 1939- SADLER 2,157,246

RAILWAY CROSS ING Filed May 9, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l May 9, 1939. L. SADLER RAILWAY CROSSING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 9, 1938 a a. f 1 2 7 $2 z fl w- M w h "a 1 z 2 w a 6 5 3 3 m 7 a 4. z 2 2 2 3 U 3 l I 2 w a q 4 1 8- a F v 1 In n "HI. 1!. E w m m- In I l v a. I. I. \2 4 M m m, m% m M l M 1 a MAW 2 2 "NZ M w h f Mwamr a Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in railway crossing of the noiseless and shock proof type and has particular reference to a novel and highly efiicient means for closing the gaps at the intersections of the rails.

An object of the invention is to provide a crossing of the character described which will be superior in point of resistance to wear, reliability of performance over prolonged periods of time, compactness, ease of installation and accessibility of the parts thereof by reason of the use of novel gap closing members and operating means therefor, wherein said members are each provided with duplicate tread surfaces and wheel flange grooves adapted to be aligned with corresponding surfaces and grooves of respective rails at the intersections of the crossing.

Another object is to provide a railway crossing wherein the gap closing members thereof are rotatable on substantially horizontal axes, or in other words on axes which are substantially parallel to the plane of the tread surfaces of the rails, to dispose different portions of said members in positions for closing the intersection gaps, such disposition of said members affording an advantageous mounting of the operating means therefor in the plane of the rails and obviating the use of deep seated structures below the rails to accommodate such operating mechanism, and also providing comparatively large and smooth supporting areas at the intersections.

A further object is to provide a railway crossing of the character described which is constructed and arranged so that the vital parts are assembled and operatively related without the use of keys or other machine elements which are subject to breakage and which more especially involve the liability of derangement of the parts so joined. As constructed the device further pro- 40 Vides for the qualityof articulative movement of the gap closing members with relation to the actuating mechanism thereby eliminating the destructive action of the strains resulting from roadbed spring.

Another object is to provide a railway crossing wherein the operating mechanism for the gap closing members has all the parts and elements of the unit parts which bear the operating stresses arranged to function in duplicate each for the other in the operation of said mechanism.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a crossing of the character described wherein the horizontally disposed gap closing members may be mounted diagonally of the rails at the intersections thereof either radially of the center of the crossing or at right angles to lines drawn radially from such center to best suit the conditions at hand, it being possible to conveniently locate the operating mechanism in the plane of the rails in either case.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel method and combination of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and set forth in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in form, proportion, size and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any advantages of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a railway crossing constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of modified form of the invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the plane of line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the plane of line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of closing members.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan sec tion, partly in elevation, of operating mechanism and associated parts.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan-section of the principal parts of the operating mechanism as removed from the crossing thereof.

Figure 8 is a sectional View taken on the plane of line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the plane of line 9--9 of Figure 6 with the main shaft shown in elevation.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the plane of line l0l0 of Figure 6.

In accordance with the embodiment of this invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, rail gap closing members A are mounted for rotation on substantially horizontal axes at the points where the crossing rails B intersect similar rails C, whereby tread surfaces I and 2 on opposite sides of said members and wheel flange grooves l and 2 likewise disposed on said opposite sides may be moved into alignment and registration with respective rails upon rotation of said members into different predetermined positions.

As here shown the rails are enlarged at the intersections to form bases 3 having bearing recesses 4 in which the gap closing members A are rotatable about substantially horizontal axes, or

one of the gap in other words about axes which are substantially parallel with the plane of the tread surfaces of said rails. These recesses are formed so as to extend diagonally of the rails and entirely across the intersections thereof so that the members A may be driven or rotated from either end. Preferably the recesses extend radially of the center of the crossing to accommodate the mounting of operating means in the crossing space between the rails, but, as shown in Figure 2 the crossing may be arranged so that similar recesses 5 and gap closing members 6 extend at right angles to lines drawn radially from said center. In either case the grooves and gap closing members have their longitudinal axis extended diagonally of the rails and said members are operable from either end whereby the operating arrangement best suited to the particular crossing and conditions at hand may be resorted to as described.

Eachgap closing member A is of substantially cylindrical form except for the duplicate tread surfaces l and 2 and the duplicate grooves I and 2 on opposite sides thereof. It should here be noted that while said tread surfaces extend lengthwise of said members A and are par allel with one another, the grooves although parallel with one another extend diagonally across said flat tread surfaces between the ends thereof so that they will align and register with the grooves 1 of the rails B and C upon predetermined rotation of said members. The tread surfaces I and 2 are adapted to be disposed in flush relation with the tread surfaces of the rails and upper sides of the bases 3 and thereby large, smooth and continuous supporting surfaces are provided at the rail intersections.

The recesses 4 are substantially cylindrical in cross section and surfaces thereof are spaced from contact with the members A except for suitable bearing portions 8 extending longitudinally of the recess on opposite sides thereof. As here shown the recesses 4 are self-cleaning as to debris and water. One means for this purpose may comprise clean-out passages 9 or the like which register with the recesses 4 and are open at the sides of bases 3. Inclined surfaces I0 in said passages facilitate removal of water and debris through the passages.

It will now be apparent that the gap closing members in having the aforesaid duplicate tread surfaces will minimize the wear thereon and insure a safe and reliable operation of said members over a long period of time without necessitating replacement thereof.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5 the gap closing members A hereof are provided at their ends with tubular or hollow trunnions II and H mounted in bearings l2 and i2 on the bases 3. The bearings 12 are closed at their outer ends but could be open where it is desired to drive from the outer ends of the members A. However, as here shown the inner bearings l2 are open for accommodation of drive shafts [3, I4 and i5 which are square in cross section and slidable in the square sockets or seats 16 formed interiorly of the inner trunnions II. The hollow construction of the trunnions H permits of limited axial movement of the shafts relative to the bearings I6 while maintaining a driving connection between said shafts and mem bers. This axial movement and the universal movement (the seats l6 being slightly rounded) afforded at the bearings l6 provide for an articulative movement of said gap closing members with relation to the operating means therefor whereby to eliminate the damaging action of stresses which may result from roadbed spring or give under the weight of rolling stock.

Any suitable means may be employed to rotate and lock the members A whereby to dispose the duplicate tread surfaces and grooves in operative position relative to the respective rails. This means may be operated by an approaching railway vehicle to set the members in the position to provide for a noiseless and shock proof passage of such vehicle over the crossing. A's train operated means is common in the art such means is not here shown but I have shown a novel and eflicient means for rotating the gap closing mem bers A simultaneously responsive to train operated means or any other prime movers that may be used. The means here shown also embodies a means for locking the gap closing members against misalignment as by locking the shafts l3, l4 and 15 against unintentional rotation.

The operating means of this invention is shown in Figures 6 to 10 inclusive and may be conveniently located within the confines of the crossing and in the plane of the rails as shown in said figures without necessitating the use of deep seated supporting structures extending appreciably below the plane of the lower sides of the rails. As here shown an elongated housing 51 is mounted diagonally of the crossing space between said rails and encloses and supports the mechanism operating the gap closing members. The shafts l3 and i4 extend transversely of the housing I! and are coaxial with one another and one pair of diametrically opposed gap closing members A so that the outer ends of said shafts may be drivingly connected with said members. The shaft l5 extends lengthwise of the housing and has its ends drivingly connected with the other pair of diametrically opposed members A.

The means for rotating these shafts includes like rockers or levers 18 mounted to rock on vertical axes l9 located centrally of the ends thereof. These levers are connected at their ends by parallel links 20, to which the thrust or pull rods 2| are pivoted as at 22. The thrust or pull rods are adapted to be operated by any suitable train operated means or any suitable prime mover, not shown, as is the common practice in the art and when either or both are manipulated, the levers I 8 will rock simultaneously in the same direction. Quadrant bevel gears 23 are provided on the levers (8 in such relative arrangement that upon like rocking movement of said levers, the beveled gears 24 and 25, meshing with said quadrant gears, will be rotated in opposite directions. The gear 24 is drivingly fixed to shaft l5 whereas gear 25 is freely rotatable on the bushing 26 on said shaft and meshes with the gears 21 and 28, the hubs 29 and 30 of which are adapted to rotate in and be supported in aligned position by the bearings 3! and 32 of the housing ll. As a counterpart, functioning in the same manner and for a like purpose as above described for the semi-universal joint connection of the shafts l3, l4 and I5 with the members A providing for articulation of the structure, the respective shafts l3 and M are drivingly connected to the gears 2'! and 28 by the sockets or seats 33 and 34 fitted on the cross sectionally square shafts thus obviating the use of keys. To prevent unduly free longitudinal movement of the shafts I3 and I4, their end portions are adapted to engage the inner ends of respective sockets. Thus the shafts I 3, l4 and I5 are simultaneously rotated and likewise turn the four gap closing members A whereby said members will be moved from position with the wheel grooves and tread portion of one side thereof in registration with the rails of the one track, into position disposing the grooves and tread portions on the other side for registration with the rails of the other track. For the purpose of having dual operating parts for the shafts I3, l4 and IE to insure operation of said shafts if one driving gear train or a unit part thereof breaks or otherwise fails, the gear 24 is provided to mesh with gears 21 and 28. As operation of the members A requires but a half turn in either direction to assume aligned positions with respective intersecting rails it is apparent that each half of each gear constitutes an independent operating element or unit part of the structure thus providing the quality of dual functions in operation of the mechanism. Thus the two driving gears 24 and 25 are operatively geared together through the gears 21 and 28 and each will drive the others should either of the quadrant gears become inoperative, or a gear tooth in any gear be broken. The provision of the links 20, as duplicates, further insures operation of the device as a whole.

It should be noted that whereas the shafts l3 and I4 are simultaneously rotated in opposite directions such movement does not effect the operation of the gap closing members A because the wheel treads and grooves on respective sides thereof will be disposed in relative aligned position with respective rails without regard to the direction of rotation of the members through one half turn.

The shaft I5 is supported between the gears 24 and 25 by the bearing sleeve 35 in rotatable contact with the upper and lower bearing members 3E and 31 of the housing IT. The sleeve 35 further serves as a spacer abutting the hub portions of the gears 24 and 25 to maintain these gears in properly spaced arrangement with the gears 21 and 28 whereas the collars 38 and 39 retain the gears 24 and 25 in abutted relation to the sleeve 35 and in spaced relation to the quadrant gears 23. As the operating thrusts of the gear train occur as substantially balanced or offsetting forces the shaft I5 is maintained in substantially centralized position but as having a certain amount of freedom and end play, permitted by the trunnions I I as described, thereby eliminating the effect of binding strains that occur in such devices.

To provide for releasably locking the gap closing members against unintentional misalignment, the levers [8 are provided with the looking abutments 40 which, upon movement of said levers, swing to engage opposite sides of the square shaft l5 each time the said members are disposed in aligned position and thereby prevent rotation of said shaft except when said levers are intentionally rocked through either of the operating members 2|. During such movement of said levers the abutments 40 swing away from said shaft but come into position to engage and prevent rotation of the shaft by a turning pressure applied therethrough by the operating means.

Either of the thrust or pull rods 2| will serve to actuate the device as setting the gap closing members with respect to the right of way on either track. However, by utilization of the tworods 2|, as pull rods in each instance, and as operated by respective conventional devices for such purpose, not shown, but well known in the art, each of such prime movers performs but one function (pull) in one direction only, and each is reset for action by action of the other in clearing respective rights of way, or in other words setting the gap closing members of this invention to provide a smooth, noiseless and shockless passage of rolling stock over railway crossings.

I claim:

1. In a railway crossing, intersecting rails, gap closing members rotatable on substantially horizontal axes at the intersections of said rails and having duplicate wheel engaging surfaces for alignment with respective rails of the crossing, a shaft coaxial with and having its ends drivingly coupled to a pair of gap closing members, other shafts coaxial with one another and the other gap closing members and drivingly coupled thereto and means for simultaneously rotating said shafts including, a housing, levers fulcrumed between their ends. to said housing, links connecting the ends of said levers, quadrant gears fixed to said levers, a gear drivingly con nected with said first named shaft and mesh ing with the quadrant gear of one of said levers, a gear loose on said first named shaft and meshing with the quadrant gear of the other lever, and gears drivingly connected with the second named shafts and meshing with said first and second named gears.

2. In a railway crossing, intersecting rails, gap closing members rotatable on substantially horizontal axes at the intersections of said rails and having duplicate wheel engaging surfaces for alignment with respective rails of the crossing, a shaft coaxial with and having its ends drivingly coupled to a pair of gap closing members, other shafts coaxial with one another and the other gap closing members and drivingly coupled thereto and means for simultaneously rotating said shafts including, a housing, levers fulcrumed between their ends to said housing, links connecting the ends of said levers, quadrant gears fixed to said levers, a gear drivingly connected with said first named shaft and meshing with the quadrant gear of one of said levers, a gear loose on said first named shaft and meshing with the quadrant gear of the other lever, and gears drivingly connected with the second named shafts and meshing with said first and second named gears and driving connections between said shafts and said gap closing members and said gears and said shafts for affording axial movement of said shafts relative to said members and gears.

3. In a railway crossing, intersecting rails, gap closing members rotatable on substantially horizontal axes at the intersections of said rails and having duplicate wheel engaging surfaces for alignment with respective rails of the crossing, a shaft coaxial with and having its ends drivingly coupled to a pair of gap closing members, other shafts coaxial with one another and the other gap closing members and drivingly coupled thereto and means for simultaneously rotating said shafts including, a housing, levers fulcrumed between their ends to said housing, links connecting the ends of said levers, quadrant gears fixed to said levers, a gear drivingly connected with said first named shaft and meshing with the quadrant gear of one of said levers, a gear loose on said first named shaft and meshing with the quadrant gear of the other lever, and gears drivingly connected with the second named shafts and meshing with said first and second named gears and abutment members on said levers for engaging the first named shaft to prevent rotation thereof when said gap closing members are in operative position.

4. In a railway crossing, intersecting rails, members rotatable at the intersections of said rails for closing the intersection gaps, each of said members being substantially cylindrical and provided on certain opposite sides with fiat tread portions and on other opposite sides with arcuate bearing portions, and means for supporting each of said members for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis.

5. In a railway crossing, intersecting rails, members rotatable at the intersections of said rails for closing the insection gaps, each of said members being substantially cylindrical and provided on certain opposite sides with flat tread surfaces and wheel flange receiving grooves extending diagonally across said tread surfaces, and having other opposite sides formed as arcuate bearing surfaces, and means for supporting said members for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis.

6. In a railway crossing, a gap closing member including a substantially cylindrical body having certain opposite sides formed as fiat tread surfaces and provided with wheel flange receiving grooves extending diagonally across said fiat surfaces between the ends of the latter, other opposite sides of the body providing arcuate bearing portions, trunnions on the ends of said body, and. means supporting said trunnions for rotation on a substantially horizontal axis including arcuate surfaces for engaging said bearing portions.

7. In a railway crossing, a gap closing member including a substantially cylindrical body having certain opposite sides formed as flat tread surfaces and provided with wheel flange receiving grooves extending diagonally acrom said fiat surfaces between the ends of the latter, other opposite sides of the body providing arcuate bearing portions, trunnions on the ends of said body, and' means supporting said trunnions for rotation on a substantially horizontal axis including arcuate surfaces. for engaging said bearing portions, said last named means providing a cleanout space beneath said body and having an inclined portion for conducting foreign matter out of said space.

LUTHER SADLER. 

